The National Fraternal Congress of America (NFCA) is proud to recognize the following individuals as Fraternal MVPs (Most Valuable Participants) for the week of December 11, 2006. Fraternal MVPs are "Fraternalists-in-Action" who volunteer their time, energy and compassion to strengthen their communities through participation in local lodge activities and other charitable endeavors.

Donald Nelson
Gleaner Life Insurance Society
Adrian Arbor #003
Adrian, Michigan
Donald is a member of the Gleaner Adrian Arbor, where he has been involved in projects for JOIN HANDS DAY, Flag Day, and gathering Christmas gifts for the needy.  He also has been a Gleaner Convention volunteer, as well as a bingo volunteer for the local nursing home. 

Donald serves as President on the Board of Directors for the Adrian Rotary Club, and was the delegate to the Rotary International Convention in Tokyo, Japan.  He also has served on the board of many community groups: Past President of the Adrian Fine Arts Association; Past President/Board of Directors for St. Paul’s Lutheran Church; Past Commodore/Board of Directors, Ephraim (Wis.) Yacht Club; Co-Chairman of the Ephraim Yacht Club 100th Anniversary Celebration; Board of Directors of the Ephraim Historical Association and Docent at their historical buildings; Board of Associates of Adrian College; and Board of Directors for the Spanish Main Condo, in Cocoa Beach, Fla.

Donald and his wife, Donna, have been married for 48 years, and have four grown children.

Johanne Grinde
Sons of Norway
Idun #5-074
Madison, Wisconsin
At 23 years old, Johanne Grinde is one Sons of Norway’s most promising fraternalists.  The organization has been a part of Johanne’s life since childhood, which was spent accompanying her father on his many travels to important district and international events, such as new lodge institutions and conventions.  Its lasting effect on her life and sense of volunteerism is apparent.

After attending the Masse Moro Heritage Camp (a Sons of Norway language camp for youth) for seven years, Johanne naturally assumed the role of coordinating the Sons of Norway 5th district Heritage Camp activities, where she also serves as Assistant Director.  In her studies, Johanne carried on the fraternal spirit.  As an international student buddy, she encouraged others participating in foreign exchanges and acted as an ambassador to other countries and cultures.

 A recent graduate of Luther College, Johanne currently lives in Madison, Wis.  There, she is an active member of her lodge, Idun 5-074.  She is working on her real-estate license and preparing her younger brother, Jonathon, to attend Masse Moro next year.

Carole Zellinger
Western Fraternal Life Association
Lodge Nadeje Slovanu #236
Phillips, Wisconsin
Carole was a founding member of the Czech-Slovak festival that began as a weekend afternoon event to rededicate the Lidice Memorial Monument in Sokol Park.  Since then, it has grown to a three-day festival, including music, a large arts and crafts fair, special ethnic displays, dancers and singers, the Wisconsin Czech-Slovak Queen pageant and ethnic food.  This year, Carole is the President of the 2006 festival and her preparations began as soon as the previous festival ended in June of 2005.

Carole also has become known as the “Lupine Lady.”  Lupine flowers are the host plant for the endangered Karner Blue Butterfly species.  Each year, Carole harvests a controlled quantity of lupine seeds from her plantings and either gives seed packets away or sells them.  Proceeds from the seed sales—about $2,000—are donated to the Wisconsin WFLA Scholarship fund.  In 2005, some money also was donated to the victims of Hurricane Katrina.

Although Carole is a retired home-economics teacher and her seven children are grown, family, community and neighborhood involvement has not only continued, but also increased.  Visiting the elderly and homebound individuals is a part of her daily activity.  Carole is on the Board of Directors and treasurer of the Phillips Area Community Center, which manages the building for senior meals and community meetings.  She also is very involved with 4-H.  She encourages youth in their many projects and has chaperoned them at various local, state and regional events.  She also has served as a judge at many 4-H events.

As President of her lodge she encourages projects where all members can become involved.  Under her direction members collect clothing, books and magazines for charitable giving.  She has organized the lodge to collect milk bottle tops and Campbell soup labels to be given to the Phillips elementary school to raise money for the school library.  This past year the members also gathered stuffed animals to give to needy children in Guatemala.  The lodge with a 4-H group participated in the 2006 JOIN HANDS DAY by cleaning two local parks.  Each year she organizes an annual summer lodge picnic.

Dolores “Dodie” Piersielak
Polish Falcons of America
Nest #52
Rochester, New York
Dodie joined the Falcons through its gym classes at the age of 11.  As a child, she competed in District and National events such as zlots (competitions), track and field meets and camp.  As a teenager, she became the Nest Instructress, eventually becoming the District Instructress.  Not only involved in gymnastics, she also was involved in the folk dancing program.

Her involvement with the gym classes continued well into her adult years.  Eventually she turned the teaching responsibilities over, as she became a Nest Officer.  She competed in the National Adult Bowling Tournaments for years.  Even though she wasn’t a golfer, she attended the events to socialize and support the members.

Dodie also has served on the National Board of Directors for 12 years.  As a National Board member, she attends the conventions and zlots.  While at the zlot, Dodie would still participate in the mass exhibition of the National Drill.  As a Board Member, she was very involved in the Falconette Commission of the Polish Falcons. This Women’s division focuses on the youth of the organization and the social activities of the organizations. She has chaired many holiday dinners, banquets, picnics and activities.

While still the Nest President, Dodie currently is the PFA National Cultural Commissioner involved in keeping the customs and traditions of the Polish people alive.  She recently coordinated a Polish workshop in Rochester that offered three classes: Polish Phrases, Tracing Your Polish Roots and Pisanki (decorating Easter eggs).  Dodie also was part of a group of representatives of the PFA, who along with several Polish organizations, held a special mass in honor of Polish Heritage Month.

Each year, Dodie organizes the Nest #52 group that visits a local nursing home and takes flowers.  This year for Make A Difference Day, the group donated lap blankets, with Dodie making quite a few of them herself.  Dodie also is instrumental in involving the membership in support of our troops, passing on names and addresses and reminding others of their need for words from home.  Nest #52, at Dodie’s suggestion donates books to local community libraries every year. 

The NFCA salutes these outstanding Fraternalists-in-Action for their dedication, kindness and generosity.  They embody the heart of fraternalism through their volunteer efforts and commitment to their communities.


To view previous weeks' MVPs, click here.